Mayor Betsy Price says "nothing can justify" the death of Atatiana Jefferson, who was killed inside her home by a police officer Saturday.

Author:
Tasha Tsiaperas (WFAA)

Published:
1:20 PM CDT October 14, 2019

Updated:
10:40 PM CDT October 14, 2019

This is a breaking news story and will be continuously updated.

The Fort Worth police officer who killed Atatiana Jefferson was arrested on a murder charge Monday, according to Tarrant County jail records. His bail was set at $200,000.

As of 9:48 p.m. Monday, Aaron Dean no longer appeared in jail records. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office confirmed he bonded out of jail.

Dean resigned Monday before he could be fired, said interim police Chief Ed Kraus earlier in the day.

Former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean was arrested on a murder charge Monday for the Saturday shooting death of Atatiana Jefferson.

Tarrant County Correction Center

Attorney Lee Merrritt tweeted Monday after the arrest that the family is relieved Dean was arrested and that "it's a start...[but] accountability in Fort Worth is the long game."

Kraus said during a news conference Monday that he planned to terminate Dean, who was hired in April 2018, but the officer resigned before their planned meeting.

"He resigned before his opportunity to cooperate" with the investigation, the chief said.

Fort Worth police held a press conference Monday night and confirmed Dean was arrested. Police did not answer any questions at the Monday night press conference, which lasted for less than two minutes.

Police later released a written version of their press conference remarks Monday night:

"The Fort Worth Police Department again, would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Jefferson. We continue to acknowledge that this is a tough and tragic event not only for her family, but for our hurting community as well. We value the trust we’ve had with our community and we will continue to be transparent not just with this tragic this [sic] incident, but in all police matters.

"Concerning the status of the criminal investigation:

"At approximately 6 p.m. Aaron Dean was arrested for the murder of Ms. Jefferson and he has since been booked into the Tarrant County Jail. Our department is working closely with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. Our Major Case and Internal Affairs Units are continuing to work around the clock to ensure no stone is left unturned and justice for Ms. Jefferson’s family and community is served.

"To the citizens and residents of our city: We feel and understand your anger and disappointment and we stand by you as we work together to make Fort Worth a better place for all of us."

Police also said that interim Fort Worth Police Chief Ed Kraus will hold a news conference Tuesday, Oct. 15, at an unspecified time, to update the public on the department's investigation into Dean's actions.

City officials have asked for a third-party panel to assess the Fort Worth Police Department, Mayor Betsy Price said earlier Monday.

"There's nothing that can justify what happened on Saturday morning. Nothing," she said.

Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her own home by a Fort Worth police officer early Saturday morning.

Rev. Kyev Tatum

The mayor also said the Police Department should not have released an image of a firearm found inside Jefferson's home. Police officials said the gun was found in a bedroom in the home but did not say whether it was related to the shooting.

"The gun was irrelevant," Price said Monday.

Police and city officials hosted the news conference just hours after civil rights attorney Lee Merritt and Jefferson's family called for an independent investigation.

Price said city officials have requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation to look into the shooting and determine whether Dean committed civil rights violations.

The mayor also said police leadership had requested assistance from the Texas Rangers, who declined to assist.

Jefferson was shot through a window in her home after 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the 1200 block of Allen Avenue.